Belgium · West Flanders
Ypres and Flanders Fields travel guide
First World War memorials and the Last Post every evening
The Menin Gate in Ypres. Photo: Marc Ryckaert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ypres (Ieper) was at the centre of some of the worst fighting of the First World War. The town was rebuilt, and today its Cloth Hall houses the In Flanders Fields Museum.
Every evening at 8pm, buglers play the Last Post under the Menin Gate, which bears the names of more than 54,000 missing soldiers. Tyne Cot and dozens of other cemeteries are nearby.
What Ypres is known for
- The Last Post
Played every night since 1928.
- Tyne Cot
The largest Commonwealth war cemetery.
- In Flanders Fields
A powerful museum.
- Battlefield tours
Guided or self-drive.
Top things to do in Ypres and Flanders Fields
Where to stay in Ypres and Flanders Fields
Best time to visit Ypres and Flanders Fields
Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. April to October, with big ceremonies around 11 November.
- Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
- PeakBusiest, highest prices
- QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
Getting there and around
About 0h 45m from London to BRU, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?
Trains run from Brussels and Bruges. A car, bike or tour is best for the battlefields.
Good to know
- Arrive early for the Last Post in summer and around November.
- Find family graves on the CWGC website before you go.
- Many UK coach tours visit as a weekend trip.
Ypres and Flanders Fields FAQ
How long do I need in Ypres?
One or two days.
Is the Last Post every night?
Yes, at 8pm.
More places in Belgium
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